"If you're listening, you're on one or the other side of this quote, and the quote is, none of us will build great companies. We will lead incredible people who will build great companies. You either agree with that or you don't… It's a choice. It's a conscious choice." S02E06 of the Rethink Culture podcast shines the spotlight on Canadian entrepreneur Ron Lovett, CEO and chief community officer of VIDA Living, author of ‘Scaling Culture’ and ‘Outrageous Empowerment’, as well as podcast host of the Scaling Culture podcast. Ron kickstarted his entrepreneurial journey at 21 with a security guard company based in Halifax, which he grew to 3500+ staff across Canada and sold at a 24x multiple. The purpose of VIDA Living, his current company, is to revolutionize affordable communities across North America. Ron is also the father of three kids and a huge foodie. The podcast is created by Rethink Culture. Our goal is to help 1 million businesses create healthier, happier cultures, by turning culture into a KPI. Visit rethinkculture.co to see how you can create a healthier culture at your company. Production, video, and audio editing by Evangelia Alexaki of Musicove Productions. Listen to this episode to find out: What was Ron’s “aha” moment when he realized he needed a new leadership style and to focus on culture.Why he wrote ‘Outrageous Empowerment’, his first book, about an impactful life chapter from starting to selling his first company.How Ron spends time with new hires as well as employees to establish and maintain connections.How Ron uses daily team huddles, Friday value calls, and the VIDA Vibe Check survey.What those strange words mean and how to apply them: “instimacy” and “funishments”.Why alignment with the company values is crucial, and how to screen, onboard, coach, and praise.Why vulnerability is bravery and why leaders must know when to speak first or last. Further resources: The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams, by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Song-Significance-New-Manifesto-Teams/dp/0593715543 Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, by Kevin Freiberg and Jackie Freiberg: https://www.amazon.com/Nuts-Southwest-Airlines-Business-Personal/dp/0767901843 Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business, by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss: https://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Service-Putting-Customers-Business/dp/1422133311Outrageous Empowerment: The Incredible Story of Giving Employees Their Brains Back, by Ron Lovett: https://www.amazon.com/Outrageous-Empowerment-Incredible-Giving-Employees/dp/198299889XShoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, by Phil Knight: https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Memoir-Creator-Nike/dp/1501135910Scaling Culture: How to Build and Sustain a Resilient, High-Performing Organization, by Ron Lovett: https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Culture-Resilient-High-Performing-Organization/dp/1544528558  Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't, by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Principles: Life and Work, by Ray Dalio: https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Life-Work-Ray-Dalio/dp/1501124021 BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0): Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company, by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/BE-2-0-Beyond-Entrepreneurship-Business/dp/0399564233 HBR's 10 Must Reads on Talent, by Harvard Business Review: https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Building-Game-Changing-Strategy-Douglas/dp/1647824583